No royals invited to 1916 centenary celebrations

The UK's queen with former president Mary McAleese on a state visit to Ireland

NO fewer than 40 major events have been announced to mark the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising, with the centrepiece being a wreath-laying ceremony and parade in Dublin city centre.

However, Government officials confirmed there would be no British royals present at any of the events.

The British government will be represented, most likely by its Ambassador to Ireland, at a ceremony in Grangegorman cemetery for British soldiers who died during the Easter Rising.

Key events taking place next year will include a state reception for relatives of those involved in the Rising on Easter Saturday and a parade from Dublin Castle to Parnell Square on Easter Sunday.

There will also be synchronised wreath-laying ceremonies around the country on Easter Monday to mark the time the first shots were fired, and an event at Liberty Hall to commemorate James Connolly.

A series of ceremonies are being planned for between May 3-12, marking the 15 executions at Kilmainham Gaol.

John Concannon, project director for the centenary programme, said the 1916 Proclamation, its signatories and the national flag would be central to the range of events and initiatives planned. Cultural events are also planned around the globe.